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Alaska is lauded for its wildlife, and many visitors come to the state specifically to see brown bears, moose, caribou and other iconic creatures. But there are certain times of year and certain times of day more conducive to viewing particular kinds of animals.

Feeding Concentrations

Salmon runs famously concentrate brown bear populations in southern Alaska, when dozens of the huge bruins line streams and rivers to feast on the breeding fish. Smaller black bears also are attracted. Berry ripening in late summer and early fall and the revelation, by melting snow, of winter-killed ungulates are other examples of feeding-related opportunities for bear observation. Spring and summer typically mean parenting season for many animals, so food-gathering becomes an even more vigorous priority.

Migrations

Many species of Alaskan wildlife migrate, meaning they are most likely to be seen during certain months. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game reports, for example, that most of the state&amp;rsquo;s bowhead whales travel to the Canadian portion of the Beaufort Sea in summer, then range along Alaska on the Chukchi and Bering coasts in autumn. Gray whales gather in the Bering and Chukchi seas in summer to feed, traveling thousands of miles twice a year between Alaska and breeding lagoons of Baja California. A slew of bird species, from waterfowl to songbirds, migrate between Alaska and points far south during spring and autumn. Visitors to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are likely to see caribou during May and June, when members of the Porcupine caribou herd gather on the refuge&amp;rsquo;s coastal plain to give birth.

Breeding Season

Some species might be more visible during their breeding season, when attracting mates and warding off rivals are priorities. Bull moose, for example, usually enter rut in late September and continue seeking out cows, thrashing vegetation with their antlers and occasionally sparring with competitors into October. Roosevelt elk, an introduced species in Alaska that is found on some of the southeastern islands, rut at around the same time: The bulls might be heard bugling, a spectacular, hoarse whistling that advertises their breeding and competitive condition. The summer breeding season of many of Alaska&amp;rsquo;s birds, particularly migrants, represents one of the best times to observe them. Female polar bears might be seen on land along the Arctic coast in October and November, when they seek out denning locations.

Accessibility

Many prime wildlife-viewing areas in Alaska become far more difficult to access with the onset of winter snows. So, in some respects, summer, because it is the easiest time to visit Alaska, is the best season for wildlife-watching. But hardy winter travelers on skis, snowshoes or other transportation can keep up the search for animals even when thick snow blankets the tundra, boreal forest and mountainsides.

Dawn and Dusk

On a daily basis, wildlife-watchers in Alaska, as elsewhere, should concentrate their efforts at dusk and dawn. In general, most animals are more active in these hours, and a crossover of diurnal and nocturnal creatures occurs: Eagles and hawks, for example, might still be on the wing at twilight when great horned owls are beginning their hunting.

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About the Author

Ethan Shaw is a writer and naturalist living in Oregon. He has written extensively on outdoor recreation, ecology and earth science for outlets such as Backpacker Magazine, the Bureau of Land Management and Atlas Obscura. Shaw holds a Bachelor of Science in wildlife ecology and a graduate certificate in geographic information systems from the University of Wisconsin.